Fantastic meals, very little effort! (Rival Crock-pot 37401BC-IUK)

Member Name: cakemaker

Product:	Rival Crock-pot 37401BC-IUK
Date:	23/09/08 (99 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to clean, great food with little effort.

Disadvantages: Bulky to store

I was given our crock-pot slow cooker as a wedding present, though I believe that it will have cost about £30-£40 (sorry I can't be more precise but I didn't buy it!)

It is definitely one of the most useful wedding gifts we were given and has been well used in the 3 months that we have been married. I love being able to make a tasty stew so easily. The night before we want to eat I'll chop the veg then I'll leave them in the bowl (switched off) overnight so in the morning all I have to do is add the meat and turn it on, then there's a lovely dinner waiting when my husband gets home from work and I haven't had to touch it all day! I know that this is a benefit of all slow cookers though.

The crock pot is so easy to use, you turn it on to cook by simply turning a clearly labelled dial on the front to the setting you want (1 for normal cooking, 2 for faster cooking, keep warm for when it's finished cooking and you want it to stay warm). I've been very happy to serve straight from the ceramic bowl, just lift it out of the metal holder and put the black ceramic straight onto a trivet on the table. It looks great and the family/guests can all take as much or as little as they want.

Cleaning up is really very easy, the metal shouldn't get dirty but if it does then you can just wipe it with a damp cloth. The ceramic bowl and it's glass lid are both dishwasher safe. I've not generally cleaned them in our dishwasher though because they are large, and they are easy to clean in the sink. Although not advertised as non-stick I've not found much sticking to the ceramic bowl, it wipes up easily in soapy water, using a plastic scourer for any slightly stubborn bits.

Our crock-pot came with a useful set of plastic utensils, so look out for special packs with extras in. Any plastic utensils could be used though I think I would avoid using metal utensils because I'd be afraid of damaging the glaze on the ceramic. This may just be me though and it could be fine.

The crock pot has a feel of being very sturdy and well made, I very much trust it and will be completely shocked if it breaks in the next few years.

If I had to pick a complaint with my crock pot I'd have to say it's too bulky to store. I do have the 6.5L version and I have to keep it in the dresser in the lounge as I don't have enough space in the kitchen. Saying that though it's not a problem with this design as I don't think a folding one would work! Without the option for a folding bowl then a 6.5L bowl is going to take up at least 6.5L of storage space!

Summary: I love it!